52K rear shocks

My bike handles just fine but I've noted when i kick it the rea squats a bit more then other bikes. Almost like there no damppening left.
Can the shocks be drained and refilled like the forks? If so what weight oil and how much?

No repair book for 52 what book sould i get?

44

[Pa]

Can't help you with the fork info but some great manuals for your bike is the "1954-65 KH, XL, XLH and XLCH Spare Parts Manual", the "1959 to 1969 Sporster Service Manual" and the "Shope Dope-Volume III. Pa

Thanks i've got the parts books and the shope dope. The shop dope has very little K stuff in it.

44

[Pa]

The Sportster manual I suggested has your rear shocks in it. They don't look to be refillable. Pa

If you are not trying to keep it completely stock, you can put a similar looking shock on it, like the Progessive Suspention chrome covered shocks. They fit up with the bullet caps for the top, and provide a lot smoother ride, and better handling. I keep a set of origanal ones on the shelf, where they belong. I also run Progressive spirngs in the front forks for better ride and handling. You may have to cut down the spring, or lengthen the tubes to make them work. My tubes were shot, so we used '70 sportster tubes, and made a rod extender to make it all fit. Rides very nice indeed. I run a mix of fork oil, 5o weight and Hilton High-per Lube in the forks to keep the stiction to a minumum, and make it thick enough to give the dampners a good action.

Good luck!
Barry55KH

Thanks guys it will be staying all stock it rides great. I'll pull one off and dig out the shock dyno and test it. Might have to drill it tap it and refill it.

44

I got a 52 Cycle magazine tonight after reading the article the shocks might just be fine the auther complained about the lack of rebound dampening. I'll try to get my shock dyno set back up and test both to see. Not sure i've got all the pieces anymore.

44

Sportsters had only one way dampening on the rear till the '90's.
Stéph